[This article has been superseded by events, after the government announced that it would be distributing vouchers to all Maltese residents, regardless of nationality. Read the updated information.] 

Only Maltese citizens who are on the General Elections Electoral Register will receive a €100 voucher to be spent at establishments impacted by COVID-19.

In a move that has caused anger from non-Maltese residents who pay tax in Malta, a government spokesperson confirmed the vouchers will only be sent to addresses listed on the General Elections Electoral Register.

Hours later the government changed the position, announcing that it would also send the vouchers out to non-Maltese holders of residents permits. 

Earlier this month Prime Minister Robert Abela announced that everyone aged over 16 will receive the vouchers to spend at restaurants, shops and hotels to give a boost to the local economy. 

At the time, he said: “Every person aged over 16 and who is a resident of the Maltese islands will receive a €100 voucher. Every person aged over 16, who lives in Malta, and Gozo, will receive a €100 voucher.”

In Malta there are three electoral registers: The General Elections Electoral Register for Maltese citizens aged over 16; the Local Councils Electoral Register for Maltese and EU citizens that are also residents; and the European Union Electoral Register for any citizen of the EU residing in Malta. 

Non-EU residents are not on any electoral register. 

The issue was highlighted by an EU national who posted on Facebook group Expats Malta how she had been told by a budget helpline operator that only Maltese citizens are eligible.  

The post on Expats Malta was quickly shared on Facebook and WhatsApp amid the confusion. Photo: FacebookThe post on Expats Malta was quickly shared on Facebook and WhatsApp amid the confusion. Photo: Facebook

Her post was widely shared on social media and WhatsApp prompting anger and calls for clarification.

Petition launched

One social media user said: "They said all residents... they gave false information to the public. It's not about the €100 vouchers. It's about respecting people who work, live and pay taxes here and help Malta's economic growing. It's about respect!". 

Another person pointed out the help provided by foreign nurses during the coronavirus pandemic: "Thanks Malta... feeling sad for those big number of foreigners working as frontline nurses and carers. May god bless whomever took this exceptionally great decision," she said.

Prominent Swedish environmental activist Cami Applegren, who is a resident of Malta and stood for the European elections, asked: "How is a foreigner meant to integrate in the Maltese society when time after time it’s shown that no matter how much taxes you pay, or no matter what you give back to the society, you simply aren’t enough?"

A petition has now been launched calling on the government to review its position. And the campaign has been criticised by MEP Robert Metsola, who labelled it "terrible way to treat people who have made our country their home & helped build up our economy."

Click here to check whether you are listed in the registry.

Last week Tourism Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli said that 340,000 people will receive the vouchers, adding that €80 out of the total of €100 can be used in industries linked to tourism, while the remaining €20 can be used at other businesses forced to close down, such as retail outlets and hairdressers. 

Slovenia has launched a similar initiative, whereby each adult citizen will be handed a €200 tourism voucher, with the aim of boosting the sector brought to a virtual halt during by the pandemic.

The PN had also suggested a similar initiative through which the government would hand out €50 vouchers to Maltese citizens aged 16 and over to be used at food and beverage establishments. 

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